1st Trip (of many!) as Mr. & Mrs.--the TR-- UPDATE 9/9: Life Update--We're Moving!!

[princess_momma]

Hey Kimmy! I'm cracking up right now because it seems like our posts are starting to look like our emails! I love it though!

You would love the tour! But you have to be 16 for this one. Maybe your dad could watch Landon and you and your mom could go on it! There are some that the kids can be younger, though. There's one about Mickey that we want to take and I think the age limit is 10 for that one.

Really?! I didn't know you were due on my bday! That's so fun. I have a feeling it's going to come super quickly this year.

Oh yeah--I forgot that I was texting you this day! I think we texted at least once a day...but I do remember telling you that my joke was picked! Haha--Yep! My friends would say that part too. There's another part, but I can't remember it for the life of me.

I know! I was completely shocked that it was that crowded. It's neat and all, but NOT worth a line! That's really strange that the family wanted their family picture there--you'd think they'd choose a place where a Photopass Photographer could take one. You're so right--that CM just made our day. I can't imagine if we hadn't ran into him. But that just shows that things work that way for a reason!!

I hope we can go at the same time next time too! Who knows when that will be though. We'll probably wait until we have kids...unless my family decides to do a family vacation before then. We'll see. But we'll definitely have to try to make it work!

Traffic is the worst!! I always get so mad when my lane is going so much slower. And it always becomes a competition with me.

I didn't know Ariel was your other favorite princess! So fun. No, I haven't seen it. I didn't think it looked very good. But if it is, I might have to check it out. I love all of the songs too!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE pineapple!! We made some a few weekends ago at my parents house that was amazing. My mom got a whole Pineapple and cut it, put brown sugar and some other spices on it, and then cooked it in the oven. It was amazing! She found the recipe online. I'll try to find it for you.

Don't get your hopes up too much...our experience wasn't what I was planning on either... But hopefully some of the pics will make you laugh!

Our posts are getting long too! That's funny!!

I did see there are lots of other tours! I can't wait until Landon is old enough to go on one. I think maybe I will talk to my parents and see if they will watch Landon and then I can give them some along time! That would probably work!

You will definitely have to let me know if your family takes a family vacation there! I think we may start going to WDW once a year and then another vacation on top of that. Well, maybe at least me. We all just love it though and miss WDW ALL the time!!

I always get in a competition in traffic too. I don't even mean to! I used to not even realize I did it until Kristen told me...but like someone will go to pass me and I'll just start going faster! I'm trying to get better about my driving "races".

I really do love Ariel! I think she's one of the most relateable princesses in general. I love her spirit and spunk though. I don't know if I would ever buy the first one unless it was a good deal or in a package. I just saw it when it was on Playhouse Disney's "Movie Time Monday". It's the back story about what happened to Ariel's mom and why her dad is so strict and why the performance Ariel forgot about in the main one was so important and stuff. I enjoyed it but of course, it not as good as the original!

I LOVE pineapple too!! You should totally find that recipe, it made my mouth water. That sounds so good.

Your WS pics DID make me laugh! So did that PhotoPass guy. They should have him be the guy who is doing the photoshoots that people pay for!! (You know, the PhotoPass ones that are like $50, I think). I can't believe he took so many pictures of EVERYONE!! That's kind of funny though. I would've rather had that than some of the ones who just wanted to take one picture and I'd have to be like "um no, I want a jumping one too" or whatever.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the pictures from the PhotoPass in Mexico!! I did not know they had any in the WS!! Is that the only one you found or were there more? If there are some in every country, I would DRAG my parents along for a photoshoot if they didn't want to do real exploring there. They have some incredibly pretty areas! I'm certain we've talked about this before and I did know Michael was Mexican...but I'm not sure how much or anything. Landon is part too! As well as Native American, but I'm not sure how much of either. (Although I think the Native American is 1/4 because I'm fairly sure that his paternal grandmother is 100%). I think everyone's different ethnic mixes are so interesting though! You're Brazilian right?

Oh and so here's my thing on Maelstrom...I think the ride is very eerie almost, kind of has a creepy feeling. I think some HUGE drops (i.e. Splash) would be so much better fitted there. Can you imagine a Splash Mountain-esque drop there in the spookiness? I think it would be super exhilarating and add to the thrill. Like a combo of my two favorite rides (spookiness from ToT and water "log" ride from Splash with that kind of drop.) I would be it's biggest fan! Personally, I think the "drops" at Maelstrom match the cutsieness of Splash better and visa versa...however, I don't want them to touch Splash, they better not ever!! But I do think Maelstrom could use some big drops like that! (Yes, I'm a huge adrenaline junkie who adores the feeling of fallings.)

Oh and I LOVE your pictures of the troll. I wanted one so badly but it was just crawling with kids. There was no taking of turns for pictures because one family would linger and then another one wouldn't even wait for them to leave and it just kept going on. Maybe next time I'll be one of those WDW snobs who think my pictures are more important than everyone else and just push them out of the way, cutting if necessary. I'm completely kidding. I would never do that. It was just a pain.

 

[hkrox]

Awesome update Staci. The photopass photographer is too funny. But at least you guys really got your moneys worth on the photopass. And innoventions is so much fun. I loved making paper. Can't wait to hear more.

 

[MickeyisBeast]

Hi, I'm joining in
I'm all caught up and waiting for more now!

 

[Queila]

Hi Staci!
Great pictures ---- again! Boy, your CD is definitely packed with great shots. What wonderful memories!

I LOVE Epcot! It is my favorite park. You are never short of amazing things to do. Great to see you guys had a blast.

Q

 

[tinkgurl]

Wow, you had a beautiful day!

I really can't wait to explore World Showcase more with Fiance in March!

 

[RachelNinja]

Hi Staci! I spent the past 3 days reading your PTR and catching up on your TR! It definitely brought many smiles to my face, and it wasn't even my trip!

You and your DH remind me so much for me and my DBF because of the general wackiness, the excitement of being there with your best friend (we're finally going in April!), and your shared love for The Office!!! I love that you both admit to being nerds and you don't care who knows it! I'm a teacher and DBF's an audiovisual technician although he has a degree in architecture. We both love learning, and we get drawn in by details. I was able to really live vicariously through your installments!

Lastly, I love that you have a mutual love for the Lord and that Michael has the call to be a youth minister. I have so much respect for youth ministers because I believe more work and energy is required to ignite enthusiasm in kids of this generation. I work at a private Christian school, so I can actually share my faith with the students, but gosh, it gets to be so difficult and frustrating sometimes when I'm trying to vie for their attention. I can't imagine being in Michael's position!

Anyway, I'm really looking forward to your next installment! God bless

 

[stacikristine]

Wow, I can't believe how many pictures that guy took of you two!! He must have really loved his job. I guess it passes time quicker when you take 100+ shots of everyone you come into contact with.

Haha, that pose of Michael and the viking, Joe does that pose all the time. It must be a guy thing!

I know--he took SOO many of everyone. Haha! So true. I'm glad we could help pass the time for him. I think it must be--but then again, Michael poses like all kinds of statues. That boy...

LOVE IT!!! You two are photopass couple of the year!! My goodness

I remember thinking the same thing about Malestrom. I liked it of course, it just wasnt as good as I remembered. My daughter and DH LOVE it though.

I can not wait to hear about your dinner!!!! I really want to eat there!

Aw! Thanks Katie! Haha! Yeah, it was kindof a letdown. But it wasn't horrible... I'm anxious to read all about yalls trip! It was my second time eating there (the only repeat meal from my 2006 trip). Your kids would REALLY like it in a few years!

Hi Staci! Wow, you guys certainly got your money's worth from the PP cd! I would have been so annoyed by that lady and her granddaughter if I had been waiting in line. Although, it's fun that you got your own batch of pictures from him too! oh my gosh - I have been wanting to try making paper since reading it on tinkgurl's TR too! After reading your experience, I just turned to my DH and told him that we need to add that to our growing list of things to try out when we go back. I hope my DD will find it somewhat interesting and fun (since she's only 2 1/2, haha).

Hi Ann! I know--we for SURE did! And it gets even better than that. Just wait til I write about our AK day! Making paper is SO great! It doesn't take a long time, and then you get to leave with a free souvenir! I think our list keeps growing and growing and growing...

Haha, good update, so funny about the PP guy! He did take some good ones though. You guys are totally my inspiration to hunt out the fun things at Innoventions next time.

He was really funny! He was WAY into his job! Innoventions is one of our favorite things at Disney World! It's just so hands-on. And it's usually empty since you have to actually go inside to see all that there is to do.

Our posts are getting long too! That's funny!!

I did see there are lots of other tours! I can't wait until Landon is old enough to go on one. I think maybe I will talk to my parents and see if they will watch Landon and then I can give them some along time! That would probably work!

You will definitely have to let me know if your family takes a family vacation there! I think we may start going to WDW once a year and then another vacation on top of that. Well, maybe at least me. We all just love it though and miss WDW ALL the time!!

I always get in a competition in traffic too. I don't even mean to! I used to not even realize I did it until Kristen told me...but like someone will go to pass me and I'll just start going faster! I'm trying to get better about my driving "races".

I really do love Ariel! I think she's one of the most relateable princesses in general. I love her spirit and spunk though. I don't know if I would ever buy the first one unless it was a good deal or in a package. I just saw it when it was on Playhouse Disney's "Movie Time Monday". It's the back story about what happened to Ariel's mom and why her dad is so strict and why the performance Ariel forgot about in the main one was so important and stuff. I enjoyed it but of course, it not as good as the original!

I LOVE pineapple too!! You should totally find that recipe, it made my mouth water. That sounds so good.

Your WS pics DID make me laugh! So did that PhotoPass guy. They should have him be the guy who is doing the photoshoots that people pay for!! (You know, the PhotoPass ones that are like $50, I think). I can't believe he took so many pictures of EVERYONE!! That's kind of funny though. I would've rather had that than some of the ones who just wanted to take one picture and I'd have to be like "um no, I want a jumping one too" or whatever.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the pictures from the PhotoPass in Mexico!! I did not know they had any in the WS!! Is that the only one you found or were there more? If there are some in every country, I would DRAG my parents along for a photoshoot if they didn't want to do real exploring there. They have some incredibly pretty areas! I'm certain we've talked about this before and I did know Michael was Mexican...but I'm not sure how much or anything. Landon is part too! As well as Native American, but I'm not sure how much of either. (Although I think the Native American is 1/4 because I'm fairly sure that his paternal grandmother is 100%). I think everyone's different ethnic mixes are so interesting though! You're Brazilian right?

Oh and so here's my thing on Maelstrom...I think the ride is very eerie almost, kind of has a creepy feeling. I think some HUGE drops (i.e. Splash) would be so much better fitted there. Can you imagine a Splash Mountain-esque drop there in the spookiness? I think it would be super exhilarating and add to the thrill. Like a combo of my two favorite rides (spookiness from ToT and water "log" ride from Splash with that kind of drop.) I would be it's biggest fan! Personally, I think the "drops" at Maelstrom match the cutsieness of Splash better and visa versa...however, I don't want them to touch Splash, they better not ever!! But I do think Maelstrom could use some big drops like that! (Yes, I'm a huge adrenaline junkie who adores the feeling of fallings.)

Oh and I LOVE your pictures of the troll. I wanted one so badly but it was just crawling with kids. There was no taking of turns for pictures because one family would linger and then another one wouldn't even wait for them to leave and it just kept going on. Maybe next time I'll be one of those WDW snobs who think my pictures are more important than everyone else and just push them out of the way, cutting if necessary. I'm completely kidding. I would never do that. It was just a pain.

Yeah, it'd be really great if your parents could watch Landon so you could go on a tour. I know you'd love it!! Oh wow--that's great that yall are going to try to go back every year!! It'll probably be a really long time for us. We aren't going in the next couple of years, and then we'll probably wait until our kids can enjoy it... But I'll let you know!

Ariel is great! This reminds me... in college, we would have "hottest princess and prince" discussions at dinner every once in a while. The guys all said that Ariel and Jasmine were the hottest because of their stomachs showing. Especially since Ariel only has shells... Oh--and I can't find the pineapple recipe. I'll have to ask my mom.

Yeah--that guy should be the package deal Photographer! He obviously loves taking pictures! I don't know if there are PP photographers all around WS or not. We were just lucky to see her outside of Mexico. I'll have to look into it though, because we'd love to get all those pictures next time if we could!!

I didn't know Landon was part Mexican! That's neat. Yeah, Michael's grandparents are all from actual Mexico, but his parents were born in the States. My dad is from Brazil, and he came here when he was 16. But my mom is American. Yeah, I love everyone's heritages and stuff too!! It's what keeps things diverse!

Haha! Your ideas for Maelstrom sound good! I guess if that ever happened, I'd have to wear my poncho--since I didn't even enjoy Splash much since I was soaking wet the whole time.

You'll have to get a troll pic next time! I love looking at mine from past trips. When I was 15, my brother and I still looked like such babies. And then even a few years ago I looked a lot younger. I sat on his arms the other times, but I decided to be a grown-up this time! Yeah, it's a pain when other people cut for pictures... sometimes it's not even worth it!

Awesome update Staci. The photopass photographer is too funny. But at least you guys really got your moneys worth on the photopass. And innoventions is so much fun. I loved making paper. Can't wait to hear more.

Hey! Thanks so much! We really, really did get our money's worth! And it gets even better at AK! You made paper too? Wasn't it so great?! It was a neat little extra.

Hi, I'm joining in
I'm all caught up and waiting for more now!

HI! Thanks so much for reading! I'll hopefully have a new update sometime this week.

Hi Staci!
Great pictures ---- again! Boy, your CD is definitely packed with great shots. What wonderful memories!

I LOVE Epcot! It is my favorite park. You are never short of amazing things to do. Great to see you guys had a blast.

Q

Hi Queila! Thanks! We had a lot of really good photographers. It was soo good to have them all! Isn't Epcot just so great?!?! I know a lot of people don't like it as much, but it's just one of those places where you have to dig a little deeper for the really great stuff. I just love it!

Wow, you had a beautiful day!

I really can't wait to explore World Showcase more with Fiance in March!

It was gorgeous!! You'll have SOOO much fun! I can't wait to read about it!

Hi Staci! I spent the past 3 days reading your PTR and catching up on your TR! It definitely brought many smiles to my face, and it wasn't even my trip!

You and your DH remind me so much for me and my DBF because of the general wackiness, the excitement of being there with your best friend (we're finally going in April!), and your shared love for The Office!!! I love that you both admit to being nerds and you don't care who knows it! I'm a teacher and DBF's an audiovisual technician although he has a degree in architecture. We both love learning, and we get drawn in by details. I was able to really live vicariously through your installments!

Lastly, I love that you have a mutual love for the Lord and that Michael has the call to be a youth minister. I have so much respect for youth ministers because I believe more work and energy is required to ignite enthusiasm in kids of this generation. I work at a private Christian school, so I can actually share my faith with the students, but gosh, it gets to be so difficult and frustrating sometimes when I'm trying to vie for their attention. I can't imagine being in Michael's position!

Anyway, I'm really looking forward to your next installment! God bless

Hi Rachel! Thank you so much for reading!! I'm glad you've enjoyed it so far. It's been a lot of fun to relive everything and share it.

Aw--I'm glad that we remind you of you and your DBF. I just subscribed to your PTR, but I haven't read anything but the intro yet. That's so awesome that you're going to get to go in April! Isn't "The Office" awesome?! I'm excited that there's FINALLY going to be a new episode on Thursday. All of these re-runs are annoying. We're HUGE "24" fans too. Have you ever watched it? I promise you will get sucked in if you start! Haha--yep. We're both nerds in our own way. And we like calling each other the nerd. That's fun that you and your DBF are too!

I'm so happy to know that we share the same faith too! It's always so great to be able to make that connection on here. I'll tell Michael what you said. I respect him a lot for it too. He's got a gift--the kids just love him. When we go to ballgames and things, they just flock to him. That's so neat that you are able to work at a Christian school and share your faith! My parents are both in education (now they're administrators, but they were both teachers at one time) and it's such a calling. You have more impact on those kids than you think!

I'll hopefully have a new update sometime this week. I'm anxious to read yours!

 

[NeverlandClub23]

Oh, I meant to ask earlier. What kind of bag do you have? I love it Thanks! Can't wait for more!

 

[stacikristine]

Oh, I meant to ask earlier. What kind of bag do you have? I love it Thanks! Can't wait for more!

It's a Vera Bradley Hipster. I absolutely LOVE it!! I also have a Mini Hipster that I took, but I only carried it a few times. They're both great. My little sister carries a Mini Hipster all the time! And they run really good sales on their website.

 

[praisehisname]

Wow, that photographer really took a lot of shots! Yours turned out great! That's cool that you finally got to make the paper! Looking forward to hearing about your dinner!

Denise

 

[cdotla]

Great update!

LOL about that grandmother and granddaughter with the photopass! I think I would have been cracking up. Are you sure you weren't on candid camera??!!! And then the next family did the same thing! Too funny!

At least he was an equal opportunity photopass photographer. I think you guys ended up having more shots taken than I did on my wedding day - LOL! Just kidding of course! I really think it is awesome when you encounter people like that. Given a choice between the 2 extremes (someone going head over heels to please you versus someone who doesn't care at all), I would choose this guy any day of the week!

I think I said it before, but I think you guys ended up with some of the nicest Photopass pictures I have ever seen. And not just from the marathon shoot in front of Spaceship Earth - I mean just about everywhere you stopped! No wonder you bought the CD!!! For you guys I think it was a bargain basement deal of the century based on the great shots you ended up with! Of course I guess it doesn't hurt that you are both so photogenic and obviously having a great time in each photo!

Can't wait to hear about your dinner! Is it Tepan Edo or Tokyo Dining? Can't wait to find out!

 

[stacikristine]

First of all, SOO sorry I haven't updated in such a long time! I was sick all last week, and then this week has been major catch-up at work. But I'm working on an update to post today!!

Wow, that photographer really took a lot of shots! Yours turned out great! That's cool that you finally got to make the paper! Looking forward to hearing about your dinner!

Denise

I couldn't believe how many he took! Thanks so much! I love that we made the paper...I'd been wanting to for a long time. Dinner was a great experience--I'll update today!

Great update!

LOL about that grandmother and granddaughter with the photopass! I think I would have been cracking up. Are you sure you weren't on candid camera??!!! And then the next family did the same thing! Too funny!

At least he was an equal opportunity photopass photographer. I think you guys ended up having more shots taken than I did on my wedding day - LOL! Just kidding of course! I really think it is awesome when you encounter people like that. Given a choice between the 2 extremes (someone going head over heels to please you versus someone who doesn't care at all), I would choose this guy any day of the week!

I think I said it before, but I think you guys ended up with some of the nicest Photopass pictures I have ever seen. And not just from the marathon shoot in front of Spaceship Earth - I mean just about everywhere you stopped! No wonder you bought the CD!!! For you guys I think it was a bargain basement deal of the century based on the great shots you ended up with! Of course I guess it doesn't hurt that you are both so photogenic and obviously having a great time in each photo!

Can't wait to hear about your dinner! Is it Tepan Edo or Tokyo Dining? Can't wait to find out!

Thanks! Haha--I know. We were thinking that any second we'd find out it was some kind of joke! Oh my goodness--I completely agree. I'd much rather encounter someone like him who goes above and beyond (and takes a long time) than someone who obviously doesn't want to be there. And he did get some good ones. It was just funny! Aw. Thanks so much! We were really fortunate to get such great photographers. We stopped at practically every photographer we saw. And the bargain deal gets even better--just wait til our AK day! We were having a blast... We just couldn't believe that everything was practically perfect! Dinner was really good--I'll update today!

 

[haleofafamily]

First of all, SOO sorry I haven't updated in such a long time! I was sick all last week, and then this week has been major catch-up at work. But I'm working on an update to post today!!


Glad your feeling better and can't wait for an update. They make my day!

 

[stacikristine]

Glad your feeling better and can't wait for an update. They make my day!

Thanks so much! I'm feeling lots better! I'm about to post the update!!

 

[stacikristine]

When I last left you (so long ago—sorry!! ), we’d just had an extended photoshoot in front of “the Ball”, visited a few places in Epcot Future World, and ridden Maelstrom. We wandered around for a little, and wound up in Japan, where we had dinner reservations. Even though we were pretty early, we decided to try to check in early for dinner.




We walked up the big steps

And checked into…

Teppan Edo! I’d come here in 2006 with my mom, sister, and grandparents, and we LOVED it. It was the first time I’d been to a hibachi grill, and I was very impressed. It was also the first time I’d tasted Edamame. Now we eat it quite a bit.



I checked in while Michael went to the restroom, and they called us for our table before he even got back! I barely even had a chance to sit down. We were expecting to wait a long time since our ADR wasn’t until 5:40, but we were seated by 5:28!


They led us back to our table, and we were seated with three other couples. The ones to our right were another young couple (they’d gotten engaged during their trip!) and we swapped taking pictures of each other.

This was our “view” during dinner.

I think my very favorite thing about Teppan Edo is the service. All of the Japanese chefs, seating hostesses, and waitresses/helpers are SO friendly. It’s so neat to be immersed in their culture and see how gracious and respectful they are. Their manners are outstanding.


While we were waiting for our chef to come (is that what they’re even called? I’m not sure), we visited with the couple next to us. I told them that I love how Asian people give peace-signs in pictures. I have no clue why, but it seems like they always do. I had some very close friends from Japan and Hong Kong in college, and they would hold up peace signs in nearly every picture we took. I think that they might think it’s the “American” thing to do. It always amused us that they would do this.


Anyway, when our chef came out, I asked her if I could take a picture of her, and this is how she posed:

Haha—Another peace-sign!



She gave us some dipping sauces (which I never used)

And then started on her “cooking show”.


Here’s an oil Smiley to get us started:

She put our noodles to the side, and started arranging the veggies:

I think it’s SO awesome that they can build these “onion mountains” without even touching the rings with their hands!

“Choo-Choo!” She pushed this along and made a train noise. Oh—and after we clapped or after she did anything special, she would always say, “Tank you very mu-ach.” She was so sweet!

This next thing cracked us up! She put two big onion rings by the stack and made a Mickey head out of them. She showed it to everyone, told us how to say “goodbye” in Japanese, and told us to say “Bye-Bye Mickey!” Then, she laughed and started chopping Mickey up!

Then it was time to bring out the meats! Each of us ordered whatever we wanted (I ordered the Chicken and Shrimp combo, and Michael ordered the Chicken and Steak combo) and then she cooks them all at the same time.

While those cooked, she made “Sesame Street”

And finished our noodles. These were SO good!

My (and everyone else’s who ordered shrimp) yummy shrimp!

I felt bad for the man who only ordered beef. It was the last to be cooked.

All of the food was really good! It wasn’t the greatest chicken I’d ever had, but the shrimp and the noodles were fantastic! And Michael really liked the beef as well. But the preparation/show was wonderful!!


Our waitress/helper came to get our dessert orders, and when I asked to take her picture, look what popped up:

A peace sign!



If anything is lacking at Teppan Edo, it’s their dessert selection. Michael got the ginger cake (I tried a bite and didn’t like it—I’m not a fan of ginger at all), and I got the soft-serve ice cream (this was nothing special).

Overall, we were very happy with our dinner! It was Michael’s first hibachi grill, so he was really impressed with the show. We’d definitely eat here again.




Continued

 

[stacikristine]

Continued from previous




After dinner, it was time to head downstairs to the Japan gift shop!


I saw all of the Hello, Kitty! stuff, and I was immediately taken back to my childhood. I had tons of Hello, Kitty! stuff! I even had a little mini gum dispenser.

We heard all kinds of commotion, and saw a lot of people huddled around what looked like a check-out counter with some fish tanks. We decided to check it out, and it was the “Pick-a-Pearl” thing that my cousin and his wife told me they did on their honeymoon! I looked at the prices, and decided to pick my own pearl!

I pointed out which one I wanted, and she got it ready to open up

She did a little song routine “Soo, tank you very much for com-ing to-a-day...” and then it was time to open the oyster!



But first, we had to learn how to count!


She asked if anyone remembered how to say “3, 2, 1” in Japanese, and a lady and her daughter did. We all had to practice saying them.


The mom said that “3” is “Sa” (I know I’m not spelling any of these right—but this is what they sounded like). And then the Japanese girl looked at all of us and said “Say Sa”.


“2” is “Nee”. She pointed to her knee and said “like knee”.

And “1” is “Ee-che”. For this one, she scratched her arm and said “You have ee-che!” We thought this was great and we still say it sometimes!



So we all counted “Sa! Nee! Ee-che!” and she opened it up to find my “be-you-ti-fal pearl!”

She asked Michael what he thought about it, and he said it like it a lot. To which she replied, “Then say, ‘A Con-gra-ju-lay-shun' to her!’” He laughed, told me Congratulations, and she showed it to everyone else that was standing around. After that, she played the drum and did a little chant.

It was such a neat experience—and I truly did have a beautiful pearl! This light doesn’t do it justice—it’s white with iridescent pink and flecks of blue. It’s SO pretty!

We left it to have a necklace loop thing added to it, and went in search of a Japanese hat. Maybe we were just looking in the wrong place, but we never found one. We decided this fan in front of my face would have to do.

We realized that we didn’t have much time at all to hit all the countries and be in a spot for Illuminations by 8:30! So I snapped one more picture in Japan,

And it was off to conquer the rest of the World Showcase—on speed! So much for wanting to take a day to explore everything in the World Showcase! Now we were going to have to cram it into the time between dinner and Illuminations. But we were determined that we could do it!!



First remaining stop: Morocco!

I love all of the detail that goes into everything in Morocco. It’s all so vibrant and colorful.

A nice lady offered to take our picture

We looked around some more,

Found some hats,

Snapped one more picture,

And headed to France.

Gorgeous.

I had to snap this for BellaSoliel:

Continued

 

[stacikristine]

Continued from previous




We found the perfect “France hats” and struck our best “France pose”

I had to take a picture in front of the Beauty and the Beast window since it’s my favorite!

And another nice person offered to take our picture here:

Next Stop: The UK

We had to get some telephone pictures!

I wasn’t sure that any of these would turn out since it was between dusk and dark, but I think it gives them a totally different feel, and the lights really add to the pictures.

I decided to be a King, and Michael decided that he’d be a British policeman:

Then it was one more picture,

And off to Canada!



Off-Kilter was playing! I would have loved to have stopped to listen but we were on a mission!

Quick! Make a face in the Canada board!

I took a few pictures (The first one is my favorite)

And then we looked for our hats. This one cracks me up SO much!

He couldn’t resist. He needed one more!

As we crossed over to Mexico, I had to get a few shots looking back into Future World.

Mexico is such a cool pavilion! I love how it’s all inside! I knew that Michael would love it in here.

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[stacikristine]

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I took one picture with normal settings and then lightened things up to take another. They both have such different feels.

We immediately found “our hats”!

These little guys were cute,

And this was gorgeous:

We were so excited to finally ride the Gran Fiesta since it’s “our ride!”

We asked a nice man to take our picture by our respective heritage birds (Michael with Panchito—the Mexican, and me with Donald Duck—the American and Jose Carioca—the Brazilian)!!

There was practically no wait!

I’ll let the ride photos speak for themselves

I know most people don’t really like this ride, but we LOVED it! I remembered liking it, but this time I really, really liked it. It’s just so cute and relaxing. We actually liked it a lot more than Maelstrom.




When we left Mexico, we skipped over Norway (since we’d already visited there) and went straight to China.


We found these before we even went in!

I love how this one turned out. The lights are just gorgeous!

Sadly, this is all we had time for in China. Next, we hurried over to Germany.

I don’t know why, but something was really getting to me in Germany. I don’t know what it was, but I couldn’t stand the smell of something that was cooking. I’ve eaten at Biergarten Restaurant before, but something did not smell good to me that night!


It was all I could do to take our “hat pic”,

Snap this,

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[stacikristine]

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And leave. We were off to Italy! Only two more countries to go! Time was really, really ticking away at this point.

It smelled SO good here! Italian food is my second favorite (next to Brazilian food), and we decided that we want to try Tutto the next time we come to WDW.


We walked into the gift shop, but we couldn’t find any hats. So we decided to point at the beautiful masks (being careful not to touch them). Goodness, these were SOOO pretty!

We barely had time to rush over to the American Adventure, snap this picture,

And take an excited American boy/old-school man hat pic:

We quickly left, speed walked over to Japan, and found our spot for Illuminations by 8:35.


WHEW.


We did it. Not that I’d want to “experience” World Showcase like that again…but at least we made it all away around this time!




We sat on the ground in Japan, to the right of the red Torii, and waited for Illuminations to start.


I’m slightly embarrassed to say this, but I was so wiped out that I actually leaned back and laid down on the bricks. I figured, “It’s Disney World. Can it really be THAT dirty?!” And honestly, I didn’t even care if it was. I was exhausted!



Thankfully, Illuminations started right on time. And we had a great location!!

What an incredible show!! Parts of it got long (the pictures on the globe), but we both really, really enjoyed Illuminations!!



My battery had been nearly empty for a while now (I was just hoping it would make it through Illuminations), and right when it was over, it completely died. I’m definitely going to have to remember to take an extra battery next time!!! This happened almost every night!


We were so surprised to see that the park was nearly empty. In the past, exiting after Illuminations is a nightmare. This time, there were hardly any people on the streets. We also saw a guy proposing near the water as we were leaving. It was definitely the most enjoyable post-Illuminations stroll I’ve ever had!



As we went back to the entrance, I tried turning my camera back on for one more picture, and it worked!

And of course we had to take a few more PhotoPass Pictures as we left! “The Ball” is just so pretty all colored!

What a great evening! There was an AKL bus waiting for us, and we were back to our resort in no time. We were completely exhausted, so we showered and were in bed by 10:45.




It had been a LONG but AMAZING day! From our Keys to the Kingdom Tour, to having my joke picked and meeting Mickey and Minnie, to speeding through the World Showcase, it was jam-packed with incredible memories!


I went to sleep with thoughts of this in my head:

Up Next:

Animal Kingdom day!!

 

[NeverlandClub23]

Great update!! Congrats on making it all the way around! The hat pictures are too cute! What a long, jam packed day!

The peace sign thing cracks me up. When we went on It's a Small World last time we were sitting in the back seat and the entire rest of the boat was filled with Asian people. They spent the entire ride turning around giving peace signs while other people in their party took pictures. My bf and I were laughing throughout the whole ride (edited to add that we were not laughing at them or thinking they looked silly we just thought the situation was funny and they were just so happy in every picture giving their peace signs! I thought it sounded a little condescending after I read it.).

Can't wait for more!